Download Leaflet - Chester-le-Street Heritage Trail

28 57 - 59 Front Street (Plaque)
Built in 1895 this building was a British (Penny) Bazaar until about
1923. The original sign was for a time used in Newcastle Grainger
Market (Marks and Spencer’s stall)
27 74 Front Street (Plaque)
Until the 1960s this building was the Board Inn. Note the
woodcarvings of fruits at the Low Chare side of the building.
26 61 Front Street
Dutch style building dated 1896 (possibly earlier) restored in 1992.
The Great North Road was narrowest at this point.
25 The Queen’s Head
The main building is 18th century and is Grade II listed. It was
a coaching inn and the Bishop’s Halmote Court met here.
24 The Crown Inn, 82 Front Street (Plaque)
A public house stood here in 1827 and was rebuilt in 1924.
A crown can still be seen near the top of the building. Stage
coaches travelling to Durham or Newcastle stopped here twice a day.
Converted into shops in the 1970s.
23 The Lambton Arms
This is a former Coaching Inn. At one time six coaches a day stopped
here. In 1827 the building was also used as a Posting House..
22 114 Front Street (Plaque)
Shrove Tuesday Football was a tradition in the town until 1930.
The ball in later years was thrown from the upper windows of
114 Front Street (Dalkin’s the Saddlers) where the ball was made.
21 The Library, Station Road (Plaque)
The library stands on the site of the 1858 police station and court.
The Government offices are where the cattle market and general
market were from c1920 to 1957. The cattle were herded from here
down the Front Street to the Co-op and other butchers’ slaughter
houses.
Photographs left to right:
Front Street, Queen’s Head.
Canada & North Burns.
The Bridge & Chalmers’ House
Wesleyan Chapel from the
Railway Station.
29 66 Front Street
This building was once a lodging house frequented by Charlie Chaplin
and other repertory players when they performed at theatres in the
town.
30 Cestrian Club , 58-60 Front Street (Plaque)
The doors to the private members club conceal Smugglers’ Alley
where contraband was brought up from the River Wear.
31 Former Co-op Store (rebuilt in 1933)
A Co-operative Society was formed in 1862 by workers from Murray’s
Engine Works who were incensed at paying high prices in the town’s
shops. The present building replaced the one which was burnt down
in 1932. The Co-operative store closed in 2007.
32 Co-operative Street
A fine example of Victorian housing built by the Chester-le-Street
Co-operative Society in 1885 on land purchased from the Church.
33 Viaduct (Board 7)
34 South Burns, The Brewery & Maltings (Board 7)
35 North Burns (Board 7)
36 Methodist Church & Schoolrooms (Plaque)
In 1902 the Primitive Methodist Central Chapel was opened adjoining
the Schoolrooms built in 1886. In 1980 the three Methodist churches
in the town amalgamated in this church. The schoolrooms were rebuilt
in 2010.
37 The Bridge (Board 8)
If you stand on the roadside by information board 8 you are standing
on 2000 years of history. This area is known as Bridge End although
no sign of the bridge has been visible since it was altered in the
1950s. The bridge under your feet was once the heart of the town.
38 Mile House / Mechanics’ Institute 1826
The original Mechanics’ Institute was the source of education
for working men, the community centre of its day.
Photographs:
Canada, Viaduct
and North Burns.
20 Murray’s Engine Works / Horner’s Dainty Dinah Factory (Board 6)
19 Wesleyan Methodist Chapel / Station Road 1880 (Plaque)
An example of fine Victorian architecture on an imposing site, this
replaced the original building in Low Chare. John Wesley visited and
preached in Chester-le-Street a number of times. The Chapel is now
a private residence.
18 Turnbull’s Field (Board 6)
17 Railway Station 1868 (Board 6)
16 One Ash, Oakdale & Finchdale Terraces (Plaque)
Look left to view One Ash (large white house) built in 1884 and the
oldest house in the area. Oakdale Terrace was built in 1899; turn right
into Finchdale Terrace to see other Victorian street houses.
15 Dawson Cottages 1890, West Lane (Plaque)
Well preserved Victorian style cottages.
14 Workhouse (Board 5)
13 Ropery (Board 5)
12 The Grove, 168 Front Street (Plaque)
A superior 18th century building with architecture linked to Sir John
Vanbrugh (1674-1726) who altered Lumley Castle in the 1720s.
The date on the building refers to the Durham Aged Mineworkers’
Homes Association.
11 Post Office, 137 Front Street (1936 Edward VIII) (Plaque)
Typical of 1930s architecture, the building bears Edward VIII’s
insignia (the King who was never crowned) one of only 5 in the
country.
A facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels is on view in the church - the
pages show the first English translation of the Gospels written by
monks living here at Chester-le-Street
10 The Parish Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert (Board 4)
The Church was founded in 883 when the religious community from
Lindisfarne brought the remains of St Cuthbert and set them in the
centre of the Roman Fort. Most of the present church was built in the
13th century.
Getting to Chester-le-Street
Car
Chester-le-Street is easily accessible from all parts of the country.
The A1M motorway passes by the town (Junction 63) and there are
direct routes connecting with the A19, A66 and A68.
Bus or Coach
There are a number of regional express services as well as the extensive
local bus network that operate to and from Chester-le-Street.
Information from TRAVELINE 0870 608 2608.
Train
Chester-le-Street is situated on the main East Coast Main Line so is
easily reached by train. Direct and connecting services are available to
and from all parts of the country. National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950.
Published: 01.09.11
Front Cover Image: Parish Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert
9 Anker’s House Museum (Board 4)
8 Middle Chare (Board 4)
7 Bethel Chapel / United Reform Church, Low Chare
Built in 1814 in a then densely populated area. Nearby was the
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (1807) which is now the site of the
Salvation Army Citadel
6 Roman Fort (Board 3)
5 Round School Wall (Plaque)
The remaining curved wall of the Deanery dovecote or maltings,
which was used as a school c.1812 to 1860.
4 Oaks Field (Board 2)
3 Bridge Hotel
The Bridge Hotel was rebuilt in 1895 and replaced the public
house which had been in existence from at least 1827.
2 Hopgarth (Board 2)
1 Civic Centre (Board 1)
Built by Chester-le-Street District Council and opened in 1982 by
HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the building has won many awards.
A walk around the 2000-year history of this market town,
taking in sites of Roman occupation, Christian heritage and
Victorian industry. Take in the character and history of the
buildings and sites as you enjoy your tour.
Although information boards are numbered, the route is
circular and can be joined at any point. Please take care
when crossing roads.
heritage trail
chester-le-street
chester-le-street
where the Gospels were translated into English
www.chester-le-street-heritage.org

Photography archive courtesy of:
George Nairn & Chester-le-Street Heritage Group
Heritage Trail Directional Coins
Directional studs in the pavement show
the route of the trail. Follow the plume
on the Roman’s helmet.
Car Park
Main Roads
Route avoiding steps for
wheelchair users / buggies
Heritage Trail Route
Buildings / Places of Interest
www.chester-le-street-heritage.org
Research: Chester-le-Street Heritage Group
with thanks, for Roman information, to the
Archaeology Section of Durham County Council
Planning Service.
Railway line
Minor Roads
& Footpaths
Alternative Route when
Civic Centre closed
Information Display Boards
B1
KEY
Opening Times
33
Civic Centre
Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Friday - 8.30am - 4.30pm
MILL LANE
PELAW BANK
CANADA
B7
SUPERMARKET
SOUTH BURNS
35
1
36
Anker’s House Museum
Open Easter Monday - October 31st
Monday - Saturday (excluding Thursday mornings)
10.00am - 3.30pm
Groups / Parties Welcome, Please pre-book
Admission Free
Tel: 0191 388 3295
VILLIERS PLACE
34
B1
NEWCASTLE RD
NORTH BURNS
32
17
B6
38
B8
31
37
20
30
2
26
28
25
23 29
7
18
STATION ROAD
PICKTREE LANE
3
CONE TERRACE
19
AVONDALE TERRACE
FINCHDALE TERRACE
16
OSBORNE RD
FRONT STREET
B2
CLARENCE TCE
16
4
B3
LOW CHARE
27
24
21
6
11
WEST LANE
5
B4
8
MIDDLE CHARE
22
FRONT STREET
9
HIGH CHARE
WEST LANE
15
10
12
14
B5
ROPERY LANE
13
LUMLEY TCE
chester-le-street heritage trail
1 Civic Centre
31 Former Co-op Store
32 Co-operative Street
33 Viaduct
34 South Burns, The Brewery & Maltings
35 North Burns
36 Methodist Church & Schoolrooms
37 The Bridge
38 Mile House / Mechanics’ Institute 1826
24 The Crown Inn,
82 Front Street
25 The Queen’s Head
26 61 Front Street
27 74 Front Street
28 57 - 59 Front Street
29 66 Front Street
30 Cestrian Club, 58-60 Front Street
17 Railway Station
18 Turnbull’s Field
19 Wesleyan Methodist Chapel / Station Road
20 Murray’s Engine Works / Horner’s
Dainty Dinah Factory
21 The Library, Station Road
22 114 Front Street
23 The Lambton Arms
9 Anker’s House Museum
10 The Parish Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert
11 Post Office, 137 Front Street
12 The Grove, 168 Front Street
13 Ropery
14 Workhouse
15 Dawson Cottages 1890, West Lane
16 One Ash, Oakdale & Finchdale Terraces
2 Hopgarth
3 Bridge Hotel
4 Oaks Field
5 Round School Wall
6 Roman Fort
7 Bethel Chapel / United Reformed Church
8 Middle Chare
Points of
interest
DESIGN: CHRIS FAIRLEY
E: c_fairley@mac.com